Got An Umbrella?

Rain Drops Keep Falling On My Head

This week has been filled with many things, but the overall theme is rain. No matter where I go this week, the rain has followed me from place to place. Luckily, the excessive amount of rain forces me to stay home and complete things around the house. Such things include working on the garden to prepare for the winter, moving summer furniture inside, inquiring about planation shutters for my windows, and begin locating house decorations for the Fall. While winterizing my garden with horse manure, lime, and coffee grinds, I have realized that I could never work on a farm because the amount of work is unbelievable. I spent about 12 hours this weekend shoveling manure from a local farm into my Honda, transporting to my house, and then spreading it evenly throughout the 300+ square foot garden not to mention the clean up factor in my car! It has been quite comical and makes for a great story!

At this point, we are in the current swing of things both at work and at school. I have learned the importance of budgeting my time while also making obligations not consume every aspect of my life. It is important to do things well, obviously, but it is also important to take time for yourself and enjoy the many wonders that world has to offer! As a result, I have had many fun memories this week and have shared some hysterical moments with friends.

In regards to Intro. To  Instructional Technology, I am currently working on my prezi presentation for chemistry and am trying to make one picture the primary focus of my entire presentation. So far, it has worked out well, but due to the "zoom in " factor, it has taken many hours to complete. I am hoping to finish it in a few days. While writing this blog, I am awaiting the Teacher Townhall that begins at noon today. (I have enclosed the link if interested in watching: Teacher TownHall, Today at Noon. In conclusion, everything seems to be falling into place as we map out the rest of the semester in both classes. I am looking forward this week in meeting my group members to work on the IT history project.

It's amazing to me how it can rain one moment and then turn into a beautiful rainbow!

(Pic taken by my friend on Sat night!)

 

I wish everyone an awesome week!

Snap, Crackle

Snap! Crackle! Pop!

(Or in this case...Snap, Crackle, Spark!)

I could have never dreamed that fireworks would happen right in front of me in my living room late at night.

No, it was not the Fourth of July, but my battery cord was sparking when it made a connection with the outlet! As a result, my only computer now needs to receive service and will be in "internet daycare" for three weeks. I find it quite funny knowing that to lose a computer is difficult enough despite taking two computer graduate courses. Most would be rather upset, distraught, and frustrated, but I have grown so much over these past two weeks that I am forced to reflect and find an alternate plan.

Both classes have sparked great interest and self-motivation in learning technology. In contemplating whether I should purchase another computer I have learned a lot about "apps" and how this is the new wave of the future. In fact, one of my friends shared with me that they work with a guy who created an app and he is only twenty-eight years old and could retire if desired. All in all, I am very motivated to gain  knowledge from this class and others in order to be more marketable in business in hopes of obtaining greater financial profits.

Taking advantage of great photographic moments, I decided to go to the Rutger's station out on Great Bay Blvd in Little Egg Harbor. This was once the U.S. Coast Guard Station and now has turned into an amazing science research facility. I have learned a plethora of interesting facts regarding ecology, but one of the greatest pleasures was learning about the "hybrid" which has traveled underwater all over the United States. It looks similar to a helium tank, but it is computerized inside and costs merely $450,000.00. Yes, technology is everywhere and the concepts of research will no longer be a microscope and a petri dish, but tools such as this one in order to to augment scientific research.

In summary, this week has had great opportunities and has sparked a lot of personal interest. I wish there were more hours in the day in order to delve into all these great things!

The Road Not Taken..

As my ninth year of teaching came to an end, I realized that my next professional move would be to complete four classes in order to move towards the ladder of  MA + 30. Due to recent mandates and guidelines set by officials, I realized that time was of essence and with each moment of apathy I would be throwing dollars out the window. As a result, I became very motivated over the summer and finished graduate courses in order to receive a nominal pay increase of less than $1,500.00. Even though the pay increase is below par, the opportunties to use my education would be priceless. One may think  I should stop there, but I didn't.

During the month of August I thought it would be advantageous to enroll in Educational Leadership where I can easily achieve a supervisor's certificate. (Based on NJ standards it seems like this may be only one class!) Eagerly awaiting to enroll in such classes and begin a new path, I realized that it was too late to matriculate and only matriculating students may take the course that I need. My plan B was to then look to be an LDTC in order to provide supplemental services to parents/students during the summer months. Yes, I was hoping to change my summer job from summer school teacher of 11 subjects in one class to a special education consultant. I thought it was a wise choice on my part and would require 4 classes, but an advisor informed me that I needed a master's in Special Eduacation at Stockton and then had 11 credits that would follow. All in all, my journey would be changed for the second time.  Having friends in this particular course convinced me that this would be the path in which I should take since both plan A and plan B did not work out too well.

Throughout my first day of this class, I have learned so many words that relate to technology, but have no idea what they mean, what they do, nor how to access them. This class today has really humbled me and made me realize that despite the amount of education you have, you will never know everything! I have never felt so dumb and inadequate regarding any academic knowledge. During this whole process I was lucky to meet some amazing people. Knowing absolutely nothing and no one, Nick made me calm and we discussed our "lack of knowledge" regarding this class. We enjoyed each other's company and made each other laugh. I am grateful to him because he was calming while inside I was a ball of fire! In addition, there were two lovely ladies who sat in front of us and provided assistance when needed. I am so grateful for them. If they were not in the class, I think I might not ever return! Thanks ladies :)

There are not many adjectives to describe this experience other than being overwhelmed, ignorant, and completely lost. In reflection of writing this, there were many moments of "silent laughter" that made me get through this class on the first night. I have a lot of learning to do and I hope I can reach all the expectations of this course and all that I place upon myself (and yes....not ruin the 4.0 GPA!)

Here is a copy of my favorite poem by Robert Frost:

1. The Road Not Taken

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth;         5 Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same,         10 And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back.         15 I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.         20

I have never taken the road most traveled and as a result, my life has been amazing! Making different choices than my friends, colleagues, family members, etc. may have seemed to be unwise, but was the most intelligent decision for me! Thanks Robert Frost!